YMCA of Greater San Francisco Raises More Than $515,000 at Y for Youth VIP Reception
300 supporters gather to celebrate youth leadership, community,
and the transformative power of belonging
May 5, 2026, San Francisco, Calif. – On the evening of May 2, something remarkable happened at Above the Rim at Chase Center: 300 community leaders, partners, and passionate supporters came together to not only raise money, but to affirm a shared belief that every young person in the Bay Area deserves a place to grow, belong, and thrive.
As a result, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco raised $515,000 towards its commitment towards fostering a community where all young people feel seen, supported and empowered, starting at birth and continuing for a lifetime. The YMCA is the largest youth-serving nonprofit in the Bay Area, supporting 10,000 young people every day across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties.
“Investing in our young people means investing in the entire community,” said Derick Brown, Chief Advancement and Strategic Partnerships Officer of the YMCA of Greater San Francisco. “From birth to young adulthood, we’re building impact that echoes for a lifetime.”
The evening capped a full day of celebration that began earlier the same day at nearby Crane Cove Park at the organization’s signature family-friendly event: the Y for Youth Community Festival. Held adjacent to the new Dogpatch YMCA, the free festival drew hundreds of families to play, learn and celebrate how the YMCA shows up for youth and their families: from school programs, summer camps and childcare to youth mentoring programs, workforce development and mental health support.
More Than a Place
For 175 years, the YMCA has been far more than a ‘place.’ It is a living, breathing community that welcomes people at birth and walks alongside them throughout every stage of life. It’s where children take their first swim strokes and build the confidence to try new things. Where teenagers discover independence, forge lasting friendships, and find mentors who believe in them, where families find connection, seniors find companionship and guidance, and neighbors become community.
Through deep public and private partnerships — and the generosity of donors who share this vision — the YMCA is committed not only to building that community, but to making it radically accessible to everyone, regardless of zip code or income.
An Evening That Embodied the Y’s Mission
YMCA of Greater San Francisco’s big night was co-hosted by 12-year-old youth emcee Max Bray whose natural confidence and warmth lit up the room, alongside Franco Finn, the beloved voice of the Golden State Warriors, who led a spirited live auction and paddle raise. Bidders competed for once-in-a-kind experiences: a signed jersey from Warriors star Draymond Green, a signed basketball from San Francisco Valkyries player Kayla Thornton, a Bay FC match day experience, and a San Francisco Giants game day outing.
But the most powerful moments of the evening couldn’t be auctioned.
YMCA of Greater San Francisco Board Chair Dr. Gina Gregory-Burns moved the room with a personal story about learning to swim at the Y as a child and the inspiration she holds dear from her aunt, a trailblazer in the women’s suffrage movement. The story was a reminder that the YMCA’s impact doesn’t just ripple outward; it echoes across generations.
She was followed by Esiah Thompson, a YMCA youth workforce development participant who said: “The Y has taught me how to help my community in a variety of ways, which I plan to use in the future to make a difference.” In one sentence, he captured exactly why every dollar raised that evening matter.
The program featured a high-energy hip-hop performance by youth group Project Level and a soul-stirring musical number from singer Lawrence Bearman — vivid reminders that the Y is a place where people don’t just receive support; they find their voice.
Honoring Exceptional Leadership with the Charles M. Collins Impact Award
An inspirational evening highlight was the presentation of the Charles M. Collins Impact Award — named after former YMCA of Greater San Francisco CEO Charles ‘Chuck’ Collins for his lifelong dedication to improving the lives of Bay Area youth — to San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su for her unwavering partnership in supporting children and families, particularly during the pandemic years when the YMCA’s mission had never mattered more.
In addition to honoring Su, two extraordinary young people were honored with the inaugural Charles M. Collins Youth Impact Award, making it the first time the YMCA had honored youth in this manner.
The first youth recipient was LaNiya Greer, 18, an honor roll senior at Wallenberg High School and a Youth Empowerment Fund Community Funder who has championed youth voice and community-driven investment since joining the Y in 2022.
The second youth recipient was 17-year-old Ari Bushler, a senior at St. Ignatius College Preparatory who founded Powering Tomorrow, a nonprofit bringing hands-on climate and energy education to elementary and middle school students across San Francisco.
“These young leaders represent exactly what’s possible when we invest in youth — not just as participants, but as changemakers,” said Brown. “Their leadership, alongside the generosity of our community, is helping shape a stronger, more connected future for San Francisco.”
The program also featured remarks from YMCA President & CEO Jamie Bruning-Miles and President Emeritus Chuck Collins. Notable attendees included YMCA of Greater San Francisco Vice Board Chair Steve Hankins, San Francisco District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, San Francisco Chief of Police Derrick Lew, San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen, and Hotel Council of San Francisco President and CEO Alex Bastian.
Recognition from the Highest Levels
The reach and impact of the YMCA of Greater San Francisco drew recognition far beyond the walls of Chase Center. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a formal letter to the organization, honoring the Y as “a bedrock of our community, championing youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” In her letter, Speaker Emerita Pelosi also acknowledged the three recipients of the Charles M. Collins Impact Award, recognizing their individual contributions to the community.
Investing in What’s Possible
Funds raised will directly support YMCA programs promoting youth leadership, mental well-being, academic success, and equitable access to opportunity — ensuring that the 10,000 young people the Y serves daily across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties have every chance to reach their full potential.
Impact Sponsors for the Y for Youth events included Amazon, Fifth Space, J.P. Morgan, Pankow, and Genentech. Festival Sponsors included Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Dodge & Cox, Relation Insurance Services, Precor, Prologis, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, and John and Liz Willingham.
About the YMCA of Greater San Francisco
With 15 locations, a residential camp and more than 130 program sites in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco is one of the Bay Area’s largest community service organizations serving 130,000 people annually. The Y promotes individual and community wellbeing for people of all ages through wellness programs, youth development, and critical social services. The programs and services at each local Y are shaped by the needs and aspirations of the people it serves, building strong bonds of connection at the community level. Through partnerships with neighborhood associations, schools, civic leaders, and businesses, the Y continues to evolve and expand, providing safe spaces in which people can be authentic, belong to a welcoming community and become their best selves.
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Media Contact:
Donna Berry Glass
Sr. Director of Brand Communications
YMCA of Greater San Francisco
[email protected]
